There’s no shortage of celebrations in December. Around the world, people celebrate various religious and secular holidays.
Here are a few of them.
Hanukkah:
An eight-day celebration marking the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BC, following the successful Jewish revolt over the Greeks. (Sundown of December 25th, 2025)
Bodhi Day:
(pronounced Bow-dee) Sunday December 8th, 2024 is when the Buddha experienced enlightenment.
Pancha Ganapati:
A Hindu festival in honour of Lord Ganesha, from December 21 to 25.
Kwanza:
December 26 to January 1, celebrating African-American culture. Celebrating African heritage, unity and culture
Christians
Various traditions can celebrate any number of days:
- Saint Nicholas Day (December 6),
- Saint Lucia’s Day (December 13),
- Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28).
- Christmas (December 25)
- In all, there are 14 occasions to celebrate.
Yule:
With its roots deep in European history, it takes place in various forms from late December to early January. Primarily a pagan festival, many of its practices were co-opted into Christian religious rites. Like Christmas trees, for example.
Winter Solstice:
Not so much a holiday, but a big deal nonetheless, the shortest day of the year has been celebrated since the neolithic period (somewhere between 10,000 BC and 2,000 BC).
